Pissouri is located about 30 minutes away from Paphos and Limassol and consists of two areas, Pissouri Village and Pissouri Beach. Both the village and the beach area have retained their traditional Cypriot character despite becoming very popular with tourists during the summer months. The area is well known for growing grapes in the valley that stretches down to the beach.

Pissouri Village

Located on a ridge, the village offers magnificent views of the countryside, the coastline, the Mediterranean Sea and the Troodos mountain range. Although a traditional Cypriot village, it caters well for the tourists who visit. The village has restaurants, tavernas, bars, shops and banks. During the summer the village holds Cyprus nights in the village square where visitors can mingle with and get to know the local people. The village also has a great amphitheatre which offers opera, music and dance events.

Pissouri Beach

Back in the 1980′s the beach area had just a small jetty and a small taverna, today the area has several tavernas, apartments and hotels, and shops. Like the village, the beach area has retained much of its traditional Cypriot character. The safe, sandy and shingle beach is located about 3 miles from the village. Here at the beach there are a number of watersports on offer, including sailing, surfing, windsurfing and paragliding. There are also lots of diving sites nearby and Pissouri has its own diving school. During the summer the green and loggerhead turtles come to the beach to nest and lay their eggs.

Climate

June and July enjoy an average of 13 hours of sun a day and an average of 7 hours in January.
In April and May temperatures average 23-26C, around 27C in the summer and even around 21C in November.
There is very little rainfall, most of which falls in December.

There are lots of bargain holidays around for the whole family to enjoy the enchanting island of Cyprus.

If you are looking for direct holidays to a location steeped in traditional, you won’t be disappointed with Pissouri.

When the children want a break from the beautiful, sandy beaches of Cyprus why not try some of the following suggestions for something a bit different.

The Marine Park – Ayia Napa

Here you can see shows starring dolphins and sea lions.

The Marine Life Museum – Ayia Napa

Located in Ayia Napa’s town hall, the museum has exhibits of past and present marine life and is the first natural museum of its type in Cyprus. Among the exhibits are a reconstruction of a dinosaur seabed, fossils, sea urchins, turtles, marine plants and much more.

The Dinosaur Park – Ayia Napa

The dinosaurs here move and make dinosaur noises.

Waterworld Waterpark

Waterworld Themed Waterpark – Ayia Napa

Based on ancient Greek mythology, the park has 18 water attractions.

The Ocean Aquarium Park – Protaras

With over 500 species, including crocodiles, penguins, sharks, stingrays and moray eels.

Protaras Fun Park – Paralimni

A fun filled park with pool and waterslides/chutes.

Camel Park

The Camel Park – Mazotos Village, Larnaca

Found between Larnaca and Limassol, here at the camel park you will find camel rides, Noahs Ark with goats, ponies, horses, deer, ostrich, kangaroos, a kids play area, swimming pool and a restaurant.

Paleontology Museum – Larnaca

The museum has a large collection of fossils, some dating back over 500 million years ago. Here you can also see the remains of the extinct pygmy hippo and extinct pygmy elephant.

The Ostrich Wonderland Theme Park – Lefkosia

One of the biggest ostrich farms in Europe. A fascinating day out when you can learn all about ostriches.

Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary

The Cyprus Donkey Sanctuary – Limassol

This is a working sanctuary that takes care of old, sick and unwanted donkies. Children can ‘adopt’ a donkey here.

Fasouri Waterpark – Limassol

Set in 25 acres of land, the park has more than 20 waterslides for all the family to enjoy.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterpark – Limassol

This park is based on the Wet ‘n’ Wild Waterpark in Orlando, America.

Galactica Luna Park & Bowling – Limassol

Here you will find 24 lanes of bowling, luna park, video games and internet cafe.

Aphrodite Waterpark

Aphrodite Waterpark – Paphos

Located close to the seafront in the tourist area of Paphos, here you will find lots of different rides and a restaurant.

Island Cove (Adventure Mini Golf) – Paphos

An 18 hole mini golf course set in lovely landscapes which is fun for all the family.

The Bird Park – Paphos

Here you will see beautiful birds, including flamingos, parrots, eagles and ostrich.

The Aquarium – Paphos

Not only will you find fish from all over the world here but you will also find sharks and crocodiles.

Of course there are many, many more attractions for the whole family to visit whilst on your family holidays in Cyprus.

With thousands of cheap holidays to Cyprus on offer throughout the internet you will be spoilt for choice.

For more information on Cyprus and to view my latest articles please visit my Cyprus Blog which i hope you will find interesting and informative.

Ayia Napa is one of the most popular resorts on the picturesque Mediterranean island of Cyprus, particularly popular with the 18-30 year olds who are looking for a fun packed holiday with great clubbing experiences.

Ayia Napa, although renowned for it’s club scene, is also a great resort for family holidays, with a beautiful beach and lots of child friendly areas.

For more information why not take a look at this interesting and informative destination guide to Ayia Napa which will give you an insight into this perfect holiday destination.

Trevor Butler set up his first ‘travel’ related business in 2004 and has written many other destination articles with tips and information. I have found these articles both interesting and helpful, hope you do too.

If you are looking for cheap holidays to Cyprus, there are always great offers throughout the internet.

Cyprus has many fascinating places to visit which reflect the islands long and fascinating history.

MOUNT OLYMPUS

Mount Olympus is the highest point (6,404 ft) of the Troodos range. The Mount is perfect for nature trail hikes in the summer and skiing in the winter. On the summit of Mount Olympus sits the dome of a British military radar station.

TOMBS OF THE KINGS

These rock-cut tombs are beside the sea and date back back to the 4th century BC. It is here that the leading citizens of Paphos were buried.
Steps carved out of rock lead down to the burial chambers where archaeologists are still disconering more graves.

ROCK OF APHRODITE

This unusual rock formation on the Lemesos to Paphos coastal road is the spot where it is said that Aphrodite (the Greek goddess of love) was born and was washed ashore on a seashell.

STRAVROVOUNI MONASTERY

Sitting high on a 2,000ft rocky outcrop the Stravrovouni Monastery, originally called the Mountain of the Cross Monastery, was founded by St Helena in 327AD. St Helena was the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, making it ironic that women today are not allowed any closer than the monastery carpark.

HALA SULTAN TEKKE

Standing on the shore of Larnaka’s Salt Lake, this mosque is home to the Tomb of Hala Sultan, a relative of the Prophet Mohammed, who died in Cyprus in 649AD.

KOLOSSI CASTLE

Situated about 8 miles from Lemesos, Kolossi Castle was the Grand Commandery of the Knights of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, and later of the Knights Templar, after the crusaders were driven out of the Holy Land in 1291. Carved on the walls there are Fleur-de-lys symbols and the entrance hall of the keep has a mural of the crucifixion. The central keep is still intact and there are the remains of a basilica, sugar factory and aqueduct.

LARNAKA FORT

Built in 1625, Larnaka Fort is home to a medieval museum which displays armour and historic objects.

CYPRUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Located in Lefkosia, this museum is home to a magnificent historical collection, including the Aphrodite of Soli and a bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus.

CHOIROKOITIA NEOLITHIC VILLAGE

On a bleak hillside in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains near Larnaka you will find the circular foundations of homes which were occupied by stone age people in the 7th to 4th centuries BC. These stone age people buried their dead under the floors of these houses.

OMODUS

This is a restored village in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains where residents give tourists guided tours of their traditional homes.

The above are just a few of those places not to be missed when on your bargain holidays to this wonderful island.

There are lots of great late deals to Cyprus available throughout the internet.

The following review was written for us by our reader Mrs Anne Shanner

“Me and my husband recently treated ourselves and spent our 25th wedding anniversary at the Anassa Hotel. We had our own terrace and plunge pool and a seaview. Even after 25 years we found ourselves engulfed in the romance! The staff here were exceptional, giving us 1st class service and were totally attentive. The resort itself is quiet with a nice beach and is within driving distance of lots of ‘things to do’. Food and restaurants were great and i particularly enjoyed the spa.
This wasn’t one of the cheapest holidays we have been on but it was worth that bit extra to have 1st class service and surroundings. We would definitely recommend the Anassa and hope to return again very soon.”

ANASSA HOTEL OVERVIEW

Location

Perched on rolling hills that drop down to Anassa beach, the Anassa edges Cyprus’ unspoilt Akamas Peninsula.
The town of Polis and the fishing village of Latchi are just 5 and 2 kilometres away respectively.
Arranged in whitewashed Mediterranean villas, the hotels tiered terraces offer spectacular views before spilling down to sunbathing lawns and the sea.
The beach is dotted with wooden sunloungers and canvas parasols.

Accommodation

All 177 guest rooms have 2 or 3 beds, air conditioning/heating, satellite TV, hairdryer, minibar, safety deposit box.

 
Sport and Relaxation

3 outdoor pools, one heated in winter (mosaic pool), 2 indoor pools (1 lap pool, 1 saltwater exercise pool, both heated in winter), gym, 2 flood-lit tennis courts, squash court, watersports, sailing & scuba-diving (weather permitting; under separate management), Roman-style health spa, thalassotherapy, acupuncture, sauna, steam bath, massage, beauty treatments.  

Food

4 restaurants (3 in winter season, serving international & local cuisine, including homegrown organic fruit & vegetables and seafood), Open show kitchen with live cooking in Pelagos restaurant, special dietary requirements on request.

Entertainment

Live music most nights, folklore shows in summer, BBQ’s, theme nights.

The Elea Golf Club in Cyprus has announced its golf-course designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo will open this autumn.
The par-71 course will be at the centre of the Elea Estate Paphos, which comprises of Luxury villas and apartments, a boutique hotel and spa facilities, beside the Mediterranean Sea.
“This golf course certainly has the potential to play a pivotal role in establishing this part of the world as a leading European golf destination,” said Faldo. “When we designed the golf course at Elea Golf Club we decided to put the emphasis on thoughtful, rather than big-hitting, golf and there are plenty of strategic riddles for the golfer to explore and unravel over all 18 holes.”
The course has been designed to allow partridges, birds of prey, butterflies and lizards to continue living around the course.

Love golf?  Book your direct holidays to Cyprus and enjoy this ecologically friendly course and surroundings.

The beautiful Akamas Peninsula covers about 230 sq kms and is located on the north west coast of Cyprus, near Paphos.

The peninsula is home to untouched landscapes, cliffs, sandy bays, sand dunes, deep gorges, pine and juniper forests,maquis forests and 530 species of plant, 126 of which are endemic to Cyprus.

An abundance of wildlife is found here, including 168 varieties of birds, 20 types of reptiles, 12 types of mammals and 16 different species of butterfly.

Lara Bay, where the endangered green turtles and hawks-bill turtles breed and are protected by UNESCO, is located in the Akamas Peninsula.

There are lots of bargain holidays to Cyprus available which enable you to visit this fascinating area. Here are a few of the places on the Akamas peninsula that i have visited while holidaying on this wonderful island.

Lara Bay

This is my favourite beach. Here you can see the turtles who come here to build their nests and lay their eggs year after year.

Coral Bay

This is a lovely sandy beach where you can just relax or partake in one of the many watersports available here.

Lempa Neolithic Village

The earliest settlers to Cyprus made Lempa their home more than 5500 years ago. Archaeologists have rebuilt homes here which date back to the Chalkolithic era.

Agios Georgios and Cape Drepano

On the headland of Cape Drepano is the once Byzantine Cathedral with its fascinating floors which are made up of mosaics of sea creatures.

Cape Arnaoutis

Forming the western tip of Cyprus, although very barren, this is a beautiful headland of limestone cliffs.

Latsi

A small harbour with clean pebble beaches and excellent fish restaurants.

Polis

Here you will find a small museum and the church og Agios Andronikos which has some very nice frescoes.

Pano Panagia

Near to this quaint hillside village is the monastery of Chrysorrogiatissa with its collection of icons.

Drouseia

This small village stands on a wooded ridge high in the Akamas penisula and offers the best views of the beaches and surrounding area.

The Columbia Beach Resort consists of 94 suites and is situated on Pissouri Bay, between the main resorts of Limassol and Paphos. Pissouri Bay is a ‘Blue Flag’ beach and has two championship golf courses within easy reach.

Columbia Beach Resort

Accommodation

The Junior suites have a large bathroom with a king size bath and separate shower, individually controlled heating/air conditioning, ceiling fan, satellite TV, radio, mini bar, direct dial telephone, WiFi internet access, sitting area with settee and easy chairs (some settees convert to double beds), limited self-catering facilities and a large balcony or terrace (most with side sea or pool view). Some are interconnecting.

The one bedroom suites have the same facilities as the Junior suites but with a separate sitting room with a sofa bed.

Columbia Beach Resort

The two bedroom family suites have panoramic views of Pissouri Bay, with the same facilities as the one bedroom suites plus a very large bathroom, separate second bedroom with its own bathroom with shower and a lavishly furnished sitting room.

Executive junior suites with side sea view and purposely designed disabled persons junior suites with easy accessibility and all the necessary facilities for disabled guests are also available.

Dining

The resort has a fine dining restaurant and a Cypriot taverna. Snacks are served at the Ouzeri pool bar and the beach bar.

A selection of restaurants including the Old Customs House, a cosy romantic bar and coffee house situated on the beach serving refreshing salads and light snacks, the Cape Aspro Restaurant, one of the most panoramic restaurants in Cyprus, built on the cliff overlooking the beautiful Pissouri Bay, serving a selection of imaginative snacks, a la carte gourmet meals, fresh fish and afternoon tea. In the evening the restaurant features selected theme nights including Mediterranean, Italian, Cypriot, BBQ and International, as well as an international a la carte menu featuring classic dishes from around the world. The Atrium indoor restaurant serves breakfast and light snacks during the day.

Amenities

Cocktail bar, Poolside bar (weather permitting), Pub bar, Beach bar, Restaurants, Lounge, Souvenir shop, Hair salon, Room service, Laundry & ironing service, Conference centre.

Columbia Beach Resort

Leisure Activities

Large freshwater outdoor swimming pool, Indoor heated pool (winter only), Hot & cold plunge pools, Aerobics and yoga studio, Daily activities programme, Sauna, Steam bath, Jacuzzi, Massage, Floodlit tennis court, Two squash courts, Columbia Spa, Wide range of watersports, Fully equipped gym.

For Children

Children’s pool, Children’s playground, Babysitting (on request), Kids’ Club for 3-12 year olds during July, August, Christmas and Easter holidays.

Entertainment

A varied entertainment programme including live music.

The following review has been supplied to us by our reader Mrs Emma Pattison.

“Simply the best is how i would describe this hotel. We love Cyprus and had spent many happy holidays there so we decided to spend our honeymoon there. We had read lots of good reports about the Columbia so decided to give it a go. We couldn’t of made a better choice, from our room with a fantastic view right through to the fantastic food, staff and amenities, we were totally thrilled with our choice. The Spa and infinity pool were particular favourites of ours. Didn’t know we could have got married here but perhaps i will be able to persuade hubby to renew our vows here on our 1st anniversary (I don’t think he will need much persuading as he loved it as much as i did)! Will definately be returning at some point and highly recommend to anyone looking for that extra special holiday.”

Cyprus is a haven for trekkers all year round. It has everything from hillside paths to coastal paths and easy walks to more strenuous walks.

Troodos Mountains

The most popular trekking areas are Troodos, Akamas Peinsular, Cape Grecco and Paphos.

The best time to go trekking in Cyprus is in the spring when the natural habitat is in full bloom.

If you are looking for bargain holidays to Cyprus, there are always plenty of great offers throughout the internet.

The Troodos Mountains offer dirt tracks which weave through beautiful pine forests. On a trek through this area you will see old quaint villages, old mines, waterfalls and wonderful views over Cyprus.
There are four main trails in the Troodos area, Atalante which goes around

Caledonian Waterfalls

 Mount Olympus, Persephone which takes you to a point with magnificent views, Kalidonia which leads to the Caledonian Waterfalls and Artemis which goes around the Chionistra peak. One of the harder treks of the Troodos is the trek to Phini (famous for it’s pottery) which takes in the historic Trooditissa Monastery.

Akamas Coastline

Not quite as high as the Troodos Mountains are the the hills of the Akamas Peninsula in the southwest of Cyprus. Treks in this area  take you along the rocky shoreline near Paphos and through forests and coves and to the Baths of Aphrodite.

With ancient monuments, three championship golf courses, wonderful sandy beaches and more than 300 days of sunshine a year, what better place to visit than Cyprus.

And when in Cyprus, why not have some family fun at one of the fantastic waterparks.

WaterWorld

WaterWorld, Ayia Napa

This waterpark has received more than 20 awards.
Based on ancient Greek mythology there are 18 attractions, including the Aeolos Whirlwind, Drop To Atlantis, The Fall of Icarus, The Quest of Heracles, Kamikaze Slides, Chariot Chase, Apollos Plunge, Phaethons Flume, Serpentine Slides, Minatours Labyrinth, Atlantis Activity Pool, Trojan Adventure, Pegasus Pool, Poseidons Wave Pool, Aphrodites Bath, Danaides Waterworks, River Odyssey and Zephyrs Breeze.
There are plenty of places to eat here, including Dionysos Temple (self service restaurant), Homers Burger Palace (fast food restaurant), Sirens Fish & Chips, Minotaurs Pizza, Ice Cream Parlour and the Creperie.

Watermania

Watermania Waterpark, Fasouri

In 2007 Watermania won the World Travel Awards for the best waterpark.
The rides here are all arranged in age appropriate categories.
Attractions include The Cross Over Pools, The Black Hole & Extreme Black Hole Slides, Black Cannons, Kamikazi Slide, Lazy River, Six Lane Mat Racer, Triple Tube Slide, Big Orange Wet Bubble, Wave Pool, Two Aqua Tube Slides,  The Juice Factory Interactive Centre, Probowl, Body Slides, Swimming Pool, Kids Pool.
Places to eat and drink include Canal Restaurant (groups only), Pirates Cove Restaurant, Grill & Pasta House, Wiki Wiki Cafe, Sorts Cafe/Bar, Mini Donut Kiosk, Ice Cream Kiosk and Makai Pool Bar (squeeze juice bar).

Aphrodite Waterpark

Paphos Aphrodite Waterpark, Paphos

There are three types of attractions here. Those for thrills, including Kamikazi, Five Lane Racer, Black Hole, Wild Water, Free Fall, Adventure, Fast River and Family Rafting.
Those for fun, including Super Volcano, Wave Pool, Lazy River, Cross Over, Wet Bubble and Try Dive.
Those for kids, including Kiddies Pool, Soak and Splash, Wet Bubble, Water Mushrooms, Spraying Elephant, Mini Volcano, Pirate Ship Slide, Slow Slide and Fast Slide.
Eating options include the Kyrenia Restaurant, International Fast Food and three Refreshment Kiosks.

Don’t forget there is lots, lots more to enjoy so why not book your last minute holidays and enjoy all that Cyprus has to offer.

For more information on Cyprus and to view my latest articles please visit my Cyprus Blog.